Apponequet librarian opened the book on JFK

LAKEVILLE — In 2010, Jim Grasela, the now-retired librarian at Freetown-Lakeville's Apponequet Regional High School, put together a special booklet about President John F. Kennedy.

LAKEVILLE — In 2010, Jim Grasela, the now-retired librarian at Freetown-Lakeville's Apponequet Regional High School, put together a special booklet about President John F. Kennedy.

"I wanted students and younger staff to know that there were some of us who were alive when JFK was assassinated, and what we remembered," Grasela said.

He shared the booklet — titled "The assassination of President John F. Kennedy, November 22, 1963 as remembered by staff members of Apponequet Regional High School" — with The Standard-Times. Here are some excerpts:

(From the introduction) "John Kennedy came onto the political stage in the late 1940's in Massachusetts. A decorated war hero from a Boston Irish Catholic family of wealth and prominence, he was disdained by the Boston Brahmin elite yet was able to play alongside them and eventually rise above and become aligned with the working class of Massachusetts. Elected to the House of Representatives and then the Senate, (he) quickly rose to a position as leader of 'a new generation of Americans, born in this century"»'

"A short stint in the U.S. Senate cemented his base for a run for the presidency. (After) a hard-fought battle, he squeaked into office in 1961, delivering his now-famous inaugural address.

"Young, vibrant, well-spoken, witty, and intelligent were all words that could describe Kennedy. His quick wit and personal style charmed the press corps. His weekly press conferences were not to be missed ...

"... Kennedy had a persona that drew in an admiring country. A beautiful, soft-spoken, intelligent wife and two young adorable children rounded out the world of Camelot. The couple mesmerized the diplomatic corps and brought the administration worldwide acceptance and admiration.

"And what was more, for the people of the SouthCoast, he was 'ours.'

"This wonderful 'fairy tale' came to an abrupt end when afternoon soap operas were interrupted with:

"Bulletin, from Dallas. President Kennedy has been shot ... Moments later, a teary-eyed Walter Cronkite removed his eyeglasses to announce: "It's official. President John Fitzgerald Kennedy died today"»."

The news was so very powerful that it rocked one to the core — no matter what your political beliefs, no matter what your age. Akin to what was felt during and after the 9/11 attacks, everyone knows where they were when word was received that President Kennedy was assassinated:

SHELBA BAVIN, teacher: "I was 8 years old, in school in Pensacola, Fla. When we came home my mom was crying and watching TV. She never watched TV during the day.

"I was saddened by the news mainly due to the reactions of the teenagers and adults around me. We lived in a Navy community — one that was deeply affected by the news ..."

JANE ESTRELLA, teacher: "I was sitting in the fifth grade, St. Mary's School, in Sr. Mary Kevin's geography class, hiding behind a geography book, eating red licorice laces (I had stopped by the candy store on the way back from lunch).

"Sister Mary Edwards came by and asked us to pray for President Kennedy because he had been shot in Dallas. I worried that Russia had declared war on the United States. I feared that we would be in World War III ..."

"... Until that point I had always felt secure and safe and that adults would make our world safe. I knew then that our trusted adults had little control of our world."

JIM GRASELA, librarian: "I was a sixth grade student at the Parting Ways School in Acushnet. It was a two-grade school: Grades 5&6. We were taken downstairs to the 5th grade classroom by our teacher, who was also our principal. It was here that she announced to the classes that the president was dead. We awaited the buses in silence as our teachers wept ...

GREG LEE, counselor: "I was sitting in my sixth period, ninth grade algebra class when the first announcement came over the school's intercom. The school gathered in the gym, where the principal, Mr. Bernard, made the actual death announcement. The school was dismissed one period early.

"I was, everybody was, shocked and confused, that a President, so young and so popular (this was Massachusetts, after all) could be struck down in America ..."

DIANE MIKUSH, teacher: I was in the fourth grade. Mrs. Meade at the Phillips Avenue School in New Bedford told the class. I think that we may have been dismissed early because of the assassination. The whole country was traumatized. It was a strange feeling — like someone in your own family had passed ..."

PAULA MONEY, counselor: "I was in the second grade at a Catholic elementary school... I was only six, so I think the reaction of the adults around me was more significant to me than the actual tragedy. I remember being very concerned about the First Lady and his children and how awful it was for them ... For some reason I remember being very angry that Vice-President Johnson took the oath of office on the plane from Texas. That seemed 'disrespectful' to me — like the President was already being replaced by this power hungry usurper. Of course, I didn't know that it was the law, but I never liked Lyndon Johnson ..."

SHANE PEROS, cafeteria manager: "I was in high school in Latin class when the teacher broke the news. I felt empty ..."

DENNIS ROBINSON, teacher: I was 4 years old, but I remember. I was sitting in our living room with my mother, watching TV, as my father and uncle were moving in a new stove. A reporter on the TV broke in with the announcement ...

"We watched most of the coverage following the assassination. It was at the funeral that I realized, on seeing John Jr., that besides the president, someone's dad had died..."